Posted By Sheba Wheeler On January 10, 2008 @ 12:49 pm In Home Girls | No Comments

It never occurred to me that a washing machine needed to be cleaned. But I found out the hard way last month just why manufacturers recommend a monthly cleaning routine.

When my high-efficiency top-loading machine appeared to be leaking liquid detergent and fabric softner, I called Sears for repairs. An appliance maintenance worker uncovered the mystery. He reached into the seal surrounding the tub and picked out a clumpy, blue ball — four years worth of undissolved dirt and detergent. It had built up in the machine, pushed open the seal inside the tub, and eventually prevented the door from closing properly.

As I reported in today’s “Dishing the Dirt”[1] column, high-efficiency machines use less water and seal more tightly than older machines, making them more prone to residue build-up, mold and mildew stains and funky odors. But technology isn’t the only culprit, according to my appliance repairman. He said that most people use too much detergent, which adds to the backup. He suggested I use about half the amount of liquid detergent recommended on the packaging. That conservation combined with keeping the tub clean should make my clothes fresher and my washer more affective.

I tested out the Affresh washing machine tabs myself and really liked how fresh they left the tub. But in an email, Colorado Springs reader Mike Rudd said the best way to prevent mold or mildew (given Colorado’s low humidity) is to “leave the front- or top-loader machine door open after each wash to quickly dry out the inner and outer tub. In the case of the front-loader, leaving the door open just one inch is sufficient.”